Things I learned In India

Reflecting on the past 8 weeks I realize how much I've grown as a person while in India. I've met a ton of wonderful people and will miss being here. I am excited to be back home, but I am very thankful for this experience and for all the people who made it great. Here are some of the things that India has taught me:

• Honking while driving doesn't mean that you are mad at the person it just is more of a warning that you are there or there is something to look out for
• There are no such things as driving lanes and it is perfectly acceptable and routine to stop on the side of the road and pee when you need to
• Lizards won't hurt you even if they do come into your bed, neither will other bugs even if you would prefer they just stay outside
• It is probably not in your best interest to just nod yes in agreement to people when you feel uncomfortable or aren't exactly sure what they are saying since you really don't know what you are agreeing to 
• Being able to see babies on the ultrasound is an amazing experience
• Watching surgeries is possible if you make sure to eat a good breakfast, chew gum, and look away when you are feeling not quite right
• I am very thankful that I will not be having a baby in rural India 
• If you make an effort to ask questions and really try and get to know people you will be amazed at how much you learn
• Technology is a wonderful way to keep in touch with your loved ones at home and make it seem like you're not really as far away
• Washing machines are really great and I won't complain about doing laundry for at least a week when I get back home
• Indian food is actually pretty good once you get used to the spicyness 
• Indians are great at multi-tasking and seeing multiple patients at the same time while also maintaining multiple conversations
• Pravara does a wonderful job of using the resources that it has to the best of it's ability. There really is hardly any waste in any of the medical departments that we visited.
• Going outside of your comfort zone allows you to really learn more about yourself and what kind of person you really are.
• Indians really value family and the social structure of their families as well as marriage
• It is refreshing to have things done at a slower pace you can usually learn a lot more about others and yourself if you slow down and really take time to talk with them and aren't just worried about rushing off to your next appointment
• Indians are some of the sweetest people that I have ever met. They are all so very nice and welcoming and really made my experience.